Chapter 82:

The saying “catching a turtle in a jar” probably refers to exactly the situation at hand.

Plainclothes officers guarded the back entrance, while others stood watch at the front. Skilled officers scaled the walls and entered the premises. Captain Liu personally led the charge at the front door, kicking it repeatedly. In the blink of an eye, the entire operation was in place and the door was forced open.

The moment the door gave way, Shen Qingzhou and Captain Liu rushed inside. However, upon seeing the scene before them, both hesitated slightly.

Zhao Chunjun was seated by a stone table in the center of the courtyard. The table and chairs were covered with clean silk cushions. On the table, Chinese tea coasters held a teapot and cups. Zhao was calmly pouring tea into several empty cups. Upon hearing the commotion at the entrance, he showed neither surprise nor panic. Instead, he calmly and indifferently said, “You’re here. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Captain Liu glanced at Shen Qingzhou with a questioning look, silently conveying his suspicions. Why was Zhao so composed, waiting calmly for his arrest? Did he have an ambush prepared, or was he planning something else?

Shen Qingzhou glanced at him without speaking, his gaze fixed on Zhao Chunjun. Zhao returned his gaze and beckoned him with a hand, as if calling a pet. “Come here, Master Shen. You are the master. Before I leave, I’d like to have a drink with you.” He picked up the teacup, stood up, and walked toward Shen, saying as he moved, “I never drink alcohol, so today I can only offer you tea instead.” He stopped in front of Shen Qingzhou, extended the teacup, and smiled as he waited for Shen to take it, as if certain he wouldn’t refuse.

However, many things had already surprised him today.

Shen Qingzhou didn’t take the cup or respond. Instead, he turned to Captain Liu and said, “It’s getting late. You’ve already arrested him. I have things to attend to at home, so I’ll leave now. We can discuss the details once you’re back at the station.”

Captain Liu glanced sideways at Zhao Chunjun. Seeing the awkwardness on Zhao’s face and the stiff grip he had on the teacup, he stepped protectively in front of Shen Qingzhou and nodded. “You go ahead. Thanks again for your help. Without you, we wouldn’t have captured the suspect so smoothly.” With practiced ease, he pulled out the handcuffs, took the teacup from Zhao’s hand, and snapped the cuffs around his wrists. Smiling, he asked, “Doctor Zhao, would you like to check our paperwork? Or would you prefer to make a futile attempt to resist?”

Zhao Chunjun lowered his eyes, his expression darkening. He remained silent, clearly indicating he had no intention of checking any documents.

The moment the cuffs snapped onto Zhao Chunjun’s wrists, Shen Qingzhou finally felt a sense of relief. At this point, all the obstacles between him and Lin Qiao, all the troubles surrounding them, had been resolved. Even if Zhao Chunjun and Fang Zheng didn’t receive the death penalty, it would still be many years before they could be released. By then, Shen and Lin’s child would already be grown. If they still hadn’t reformed by that time, he would have plenty of time to deal with them.

Putting his thoughts in order, Shen Qingzhou said his farewells to the police and headed home. Driving his understated black Audi through the streets of Beijing, he reflected on how he had once detested the city’s congested traffic and confusing roads. On previous visits to the capital, he had never considered settling there. Not only because of the traffic, but also because of the air quality, which he found unbearable. Yet, as the saying goes, “Life is full of surprises.” No one can predict what will happen in the future, and no one can be sure whether saying goodbye to someone today means never seeing them again. The only thing within our control is the present moment. Therefore, living in the moment is a very good mindset.

While waiting at a red light, Shen Qingzhou absentmindedly glanced at the shops along the roadside. By chance, he spotted a maternity and baby store. Without hesitation, he turned the car toward the curb, parked, and entered the well-known store.

A man like Shen Qingzhou entering the store immediately caught the attention of the sales associate, who felt both excited and frustrated. She thought she must be having a lucky day, only to realize that this was a flower she couldn’t pluck, as he was clearly here for baby products.

“Sir, may I help you find something?” the sales associate eagerly asked.

Shen Qingzhou thought for a moment before replying seriously, “I’m looking for baby supplies and maternity clothes.”

The sales associate’s heart sank a little, but she remained professional. “This way, please. Our store carries the best maternity and baby products in the city—you’ve come to the right place.”

The usual shopping process followed. Shen Qingzhou purchased several bags of items, mostly maternity clothes for Lin Qiao and many toys suitable for their one-year-old daughter. After placing the items in his car, he drove to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital, where he called on a familiar TCM practitioner to obtain herbal remedies for strengthening Lin Qiao’s health. Although Lin had given birth a year ago, this pregnancy was a bit early, and Shen was concerned about the strain on her body. He had taken extra care to consult the doctor about many issues.

Concerned about the side effects of Western medicine on both mother and child, Shen had specifically chosen traditional Chinese medicine. TCM was generally considered safer than Western medicine. While Western medicine might work faster, TCM had fewer side effects and could treat both symptoms and root causes.

While waiting for the doctor to prepare the herbs at the hospital, Shen carefully studied the process of brewing the medicine. It was always inconvenient to come to the hospital every time for the medicine, although he felt more at ease when the doctor brewed it himself. Still, he was confident he could learn to do it well himself, just as competently as the doctor.

After learning how to brew the medicine, Shen Qingzhou took the packaged herbs and drove home. Soft instrumental music played in the car, its flowing notes matching his pleasant and relaxed mood. The back seat was filled with items, none of which were for his own use. A man like him, in the eyes of others, had every reason to be carefree and indulgent. Yet he had always been indifferent to such temptations. He had always followed his own path, unconcerned with others’ expectations.

When he arrived home late in the evening, Lin Qiao opened the door for him. She was holding their sleeping daughter, who was wearing a cute little outfit. The baby was nestled against her mother, clutching strands of her hair, with tears still on her eyelashes—she had cried herself to sleep.

Lin welcomed Shen inside and watched as he carefully placed the items in the living room, whispering, “Why did you buy so much? Was there a big sale?”

Shen Qingzhou glanced at her and replied, “I never ask about the price. You know that.”

Lin’s lips twitched slightly as she whispered, “I’ll go put the baby to bed first.”

Shen nodded and picked up some of the items that needed to be taken upstairs, following her. As he walked behind her, he admired her figure. Even as a mother of one child, she remained as graceful and alluring as ever. His heart swelled with affection for her, and her beauty made him feel even more powerless to resist. If not for that, she wouldn’t have become pregnant with their second child so soon.

Thinking about the second pregnancy, the two seemed to share a silent understanding. After putting the baby to bed, they entered the walk-in closet together, where Lin remarked, “The national policy has improved lately. If your first child is a girl, you can now apply for a second child, which saves a lot of hassle.”

Shen Qingzhou replied, “Even without the policy, it doesn’t matter. In Chinese society, there’s nothing money can’t fix.”

Lin Qiao smiled bitterly and said, “Yes, I’m sure you wouldn’t care about paying fines even without the policy.”

Shen Qingzhou slightly curled his lips into a smile, both refined and elegant. He efficiently took out the maternity clothes and placed them on the ironing board, along with neatly packaged infant clothes. Each item looked expensive and精致.

(Note: The word “精致” at the end of the last sentence appears to be Chinese. Since the instruction is to translate into English without retaining Chinese characters, here’s the corrected version:)

Shen Qingzhou slightly curled his lips into a smile, both refined and elegant. He efficiently took out the maternity clothes and placed them on the ironing board, along with neatly packaged infant clothes. Each item looked expensive and exquisite.

Lin Qiao was surprised and asked, “You came back so late because you went shopping for these?”

Shen Qingzhou didn’t look up and simply said, “There’s herbal medicine on the coffee table downstairs. You need to remember to drink it every day. When it’s finished, I’ll brew more for you.”

“Why are you giving me herbal medicine?” Lin Qiao asked while helping him sort through the maternity clothes. These needed to be washed before they could be worn and couldn’t be hung up yet.

Shen Qingzhou looked at her and said firmly, “You gave birth just a year ago. I’m worried about your health now that you’re pregnant again, so you need to take good care of yourself.”

Lin Qiao looked at her belly with concern and said, “But my waistline is getting bigger and bigger. I can’t fit into many of my old clothes anymore. The stretch marks are really bad. If I hadn’t gotten pregnant again, I was planning to do something about my belly.”

Shen Qingzhou narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression turning dangerous, but Lin Qiao didn’t notice. She continued, “I was even thinking about getting liposuction. What do you think? After giving birth, I could get rid of the excess fat on my stomach. Otherwise, no matter what I wear, there’s always that extra bulge—it looks really unattractive.”

Shen Qingzhou warned seriously, “Absolutely not!”

Lin Qiao asked in confusion, “Why? Don’t you want a slim wife? It would make you look better when we go out together.”

Shen Qingzhou pursed his lips, averted his gaze, and continued sorting through the clothes. He crushed the empty paper bags together and muttered, “It’s bad for your health.” Then, with one hand holding the discarded bags and the other wrapping around Lin Qiao’s shoulders, he kissed her cheek and said, “It’s okay. Being a little heavier is fine. Think of it as a blessing, not a burden.” Without looking back, he took the bags downstairs.

Lin Qiao stood there, watching his figure disappear down the stairs. For some reason, she felt deeply moved. In truth, he hadn’t said anything particularly sweet, but it was precisely this kind of genuine, spontaneous care and acceptance that touched her the most.

Lin Qiao couldn’t help but place her hand on her belly and whispered, “Baby, you have a great dad. I don’t know what good deeds we did in our past lives to meet your father in this one. We must have used up all our blessings from many lifetimes.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Qingzhou appeared from behind the doorframe. He frowned and asked, “What are you dawdling for? Come downstairs and drink your herbal medicine quickly.”

At the mention of herbal medicine, Lin Qiao’s face turned stiff with reluctance. She protested, “I’m fine. Do I really have to drink it? If I must, can’t I just take Western medicine instead?”

Shen Qingzhou’s brows furrowed deeply into a frown. Clearly displeased, he stepped forward, scooped her into his arms, and carried her downstairs. As she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck in surprise, he warned her sternly, “You must obediently drink your medicine. Western medicine can’t compare to herbal medicine. This isn’t negotiable. If you won’t drink it willingly, I’ll force it down your throat.”

Lin Qiao: “…” She took back what she had just said to the baby.

In the end, no matter how unwilling Lin Qiao was, Shen Qingzhou always managed to make her drink the herbal medicine. He always had effective ways of dealing with her, and she had never truly been able to refuse his demands.

The herbal medicine wasn’t as bitter as Lin Qiao had imagined. Besides, after drinking it, Shen Qingzhou always gave her a sweet treat. Over time, she gradually got used to it.

Every time after drinking the medicine, Lin Qiao would see Shen Qingzhou setting up a small stove in the backyard to brew the next batch. This traditional method of brewing medicine had long been abandoned by hospitals due to its labor-intensive and inconvenient nature. However, it was the most effective way to extract the full potency of the herbs.

Shen Qingzhou didn’t use a gas stove. Instead, he set up a small outdoor stove outside the courtyard, placed the herbal pot on it, and fanned it with a palm-leaf fan, looking very much the part.

He wore his usual modified traditional Chinese attire, with neatly fastened buttons running down the center of his jacket. The unique fabric and style gave him a somewhat ethereal and scholarly aura. Combined with the ancient art of brewing medicine and the yin-yang bracelet and prayer beads always hanging from his wrist, he stood there slightly bent over the stove—absolutely captivating.

Leaning against the doorframe, Lin Qiao watched him with a dreamy expression. Shen Qingzhou happened to glance back and saw the way she was looking at him—her eyes seemed to be undressing him mentally.

“Lin Qiao, go back inside!” Shen Qingzhou said with mild irritation.

Lin Qiao’s eyes sparkled with laughter as she happily replied, “No way! My husband is so handsome—handsome and capable. He sent that scumbag Fang Zheng to jail and locked up that dangerous Doctor Zhao too. You’re a true guardian of the people, a heavenly master! Master Shen, can I take a photo with you? Can I get your autograph?” As she spoke, she moved closer, pretending to ask him to sign her T-shirt. “Master, sign my shirt, and I’ll never wash it again.”

Shen Qingzhou frowned, pulled her aside, and kept her away from the stove. “Stay away from here.” Then, in a more impatient tone, he added, “There’s a limit to how much of a love-struck fool you can be. We’ve known each other long enough—don’t act like you’re still smitten after all this time. I’m tired of it.” Although his expression was clearly one of displeasure and annoyance, the slight redness in his ears and the awkward way he moved his hands betrayed his true feelings. Lin Qiao saw all this but remained unfazed. She reached out and took his hand, then leaned in and kissed his earlobe.

As she kissed him, she whispered softly and quickly, “My husband is so handsome. No matter how many years I look at him, it’s never enough. Even when he’s old, he’ll still be a handsome old man.”

Shen Qingzhou glanced sideways at her, slightly embarrassed. But seeing her long, flowing hair and the way her eyes sparkled with affection, filled with his image, left him speechless.

Her eyes told him—and everyone else—that she loved him deeply. And how could he not feel the same? He loved her just as much.

Marriage, as the saying goes, is the most important of the five cardinal relationships. Only by maintaining a healthy marital relationship can the other four remain stable. Perhaps they were exactly the kind of couple who had mastered this relationship.

As he continued brewing the medicine, Shen Qingzhou thought to himself, his ears still slightly flushed.